by Marcel Haring / CC BY-SA 2.0

A Fascinating Blend of Nature, History, and Culinary Delights

A. About Sarajevo

Nickname:Jerusalem of Europe

With a lovely, laidback feel to it, Sarajevo combines all aspects that make a charming city the ideal weekend destination.

War took its toll, with the 1992-1996 siege hitting hard. But the lively, diverse, museum-rich city has been almost entirely reconstructed. 

The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina features an interesting mix of breathtaking national parks, impressive landmarks, and sights, countless museums, historical sites, churches, and cathedrals, as well as great culinary offerings.


The Good:

Sarajevo enjoys a scenic location nestling among dramatic peaks.

The city delights visitors with delicious food.

Furthermore, the city is very safe, clean, and possesses numerous pedestrian zones, mainly in the old town Baščaršija.

The Not-So-Good:

Fortunately, Sarajevo has no category with a rating lower than 4/10. 


B. Best Things to Do in Sarajevo in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than fifteen sights in Sarajevo. The following sights contribute to a score of 5.70/10 in this most important category:

# Old Town (Baščaršija) 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Built in the 15th century, Sarajevo’s charming Old Town is a maze of cobbled streets filled with shops selling metals, jewelry, pottery, and souvenirs.

Here you can visit numerous impressive historical buildings such as the Old Orthodox Church or the Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque.

City District  Main Sights: Gazi Husrev-Begs Mosque, Fontaine Sebilj, Emperor's Mosque, Havadža Durak Mosque (Baščaršija Mosque), Old Orthodox Church

Best Things to do in Sarajevo

by Yukof / CC BY-SA 4.0

 

# Mount Trebević and Sarajevo Cable Car 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Reopened in April 2018 after being destroyed during the war, Sarajevo's cable car once again shuttles people on a nine-minute ride to the top of Mount Trebevič, one of Sarajevo’s most popular viewing spots.

Mountain  Elevation: 1164 m | Funicular Railway: Yes

Best Things to do in Sarajevo

by Julian Nyča / CC BY-SA 3.0

# City Hall (Vijećnica) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Constructed in extravagant neo-Moorish style, Sarajevo’s old city hall is the most representative building from the Austro-Hungarian period. Utterly obliterated during the 1990s siege, it finally reopened in 2014 in its former glory.

City Hall Opened: 1896 / Reopened: 2014 | Style: Moorish

Best Things to do in Sarajevo

by Aktron / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Gazi Husrev-Begs Mosque 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Dating from the 16th century, this remarkable Mosque is the most important structure from the period of Ottoman rule in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mosque Completed: 1532

Best Things to do in Sarajevo

by donchili / CC BY-SA 2.0

 

# Yellow Fortress (Žuta Tabija) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

From these defensive walls and ramparts with five bastions, you can enjoy one of the best views of Sarajevo's red-roofed cityscape.

Fortress | Viewpoint

Best Things to do in Sarajevo

by Petr Kraumann / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Avaz Twist Tower 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Regarded as one of the world's most beautiful skyscrapers, the 172-meter-tall Avaz Twist Tower offers spectacular views of the city through its windows on the 35th floor and from its open-air deck.

Skyscraper Total Height: 172 m / 564 ft) | Observation Deck Height: 142 m / 466 ft | View Type: Glass Windows and Outdoor (behind a large metal fence) | Completed: 2008

by Bosniak (talk) / Public domain

# Latin Bridge (Latinska ćuprija) 4 2.5 out of 5 stars

Spanning the river Miljacka in three arches, this beautiful pale stone bridge provides stunning views and is reserved for pedestrians.

This bridge was the site of the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by Gavrilo Princip in 1914 which led to the outbreak of World War I.

Bridge Length: 39 m / 1.5 miles| Style: Ottoman

Best Things to do in Sarajevo

by Julian Nyča / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Sacred Heart Cathedral (Katedrala Srca Isusova) 4 2 out of 5 stars

Set on an elegant square, this magnificent neo-gothic cathedral is known for its signature twin bell towers, its rose windows, and its spectacular stone portal.

Roman Catholic Cathedral Completed: 1889 | Height: 43.2 m / 141.7 ft | Style: Neo-Gothic

Best Things to do in Sarajevo

by BloodSaric / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Sarajevo War Tunnel (Sarajevo Tunnel Museum) 4 2 out of 5 stars

Constructed during the war in 1993, this once-secret 800-m-long tunnel was the only link to the rest of the country for more than three years.

Today a small but moving museum features a video room, a tiny museum, and a 25-meter section from the 800m-long tunnel.

Tunnel | Museum Length: 800 m / 1235 acres | Height: 1.5 m | Created: 1993

by Athena Lao / CC BY-SA 2.0

#10 | Sebilj Fountain 4 2 out of 5 stars 

This Moorish kiosk-shaped fountain of wood and stone is one of Sarajevo’s most recognizable landmarks.

Pavillon | Fountain Completed: 1753, replaced 1891 | Style: pseudo-Ottoman

Best Things to do in Sarajevo

by BloodSaric / CC BY-SA 2.5

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

🌍 = World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Sarajevo

#11 | National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina 4 2 out of 5 stars

The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, founded in 1888 in Sarajevo, showcases a vast collection of over 4 million artifacts, including the renowned Sarajevo Haggadah, and features unique architecture with interconnected pavilions in a botanical garden.

Museum

by Julian Nyča / CC BY-SA 4.0

 
    • Gallery 11/07/95 4
    • War Childhood Museum 4
    • Ferhadija Pedestrian Street 4
    • Old Jewish Synagogue 4
    • National Gallery 4
    • Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track 4
    • Serbian Orthodox Cathedral (Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel) 4
    • Emperor’s Mosque 4

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Sarajevo

Mostar 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Mostar with its famous bridge is one of the most iconic places in the Balkans.

City Distance from Sarajevo: 129 km

by Ziva / CC BY-SA 4.0

 

Vrelo Bosne 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Be amazed as you tour this vast park and nature conservation area.

Park Distance from Sarajevo: 13.4 km

by rejflinger/ CC BY-SA 2.0

 

Skakavac Waterfall 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

This scenic waterfall can be visited in a four-hour hike. At 98 meters (322 ft), it is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Balkans.

Waterfall  Distance from Sarajevo: 12 km

by UserSmooth_O / Public domain

Visoko (Bosnian Pyramid) (Distance from Sarajevo: 32.6 km) 5


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Sarajevo (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Sarajevo for at least two entire days. If you plan to do some of the excursions, you will need more time.

Old Town (Baščaršija) 6

Mount Trebević and Sarajevo Cable Car 6

Vrelo Bosne (13.4 km away) 6

City Hall (Vijećnica) 5

Gazi Husrev-Begs Mosque 5

Yellow Fortress (Žuta Tabija) 5

Avaz Twist Tower 5

Latin Bridge (Latinska ćuprija) 5

Sacred Heart Cathedral 5

Sarajevo War Tunnel (Sarajevo Tunnel Museum) 5